North and South - Gaskell, Elizabeth

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Résumé :
Set in the fictional industrial town of Milton in the North of England, North and South is Elizabeth Gaskell's 1855 novel that contrasts the different ways of life in the two respective regions of England. In the North the emerging industrialized society is sharply contrasted with the aging gentry of the agrarian based South. The plot of North and South centers around the main character Margaret Hale, the daughter of a non-conformist minister who moves his family to an industrial town in the North after a split from the Church of England. Here the impact of the industrial revolution can be fully seen as tensions between workers and employers over poor working conditions and the growing divide between the rich industrialists and poor factory workers escalate into violent conflict. Originally serialized between September 1854 and January 1855 in Charles Dickens's Household Words, North and South was one of the first and most important social novels to address the changes brought about by the industrial revolution in England. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Biographie:
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, known as Mrs. Gaskell, was an English novelist, biographer, and short story writer, born on September 29, 1810, in England. Her works provide a comprehensive portrayal of Victorian society, focusing on various social classes, including the impoverished. Gaskell's first novel, Mary Barton, was published in 1848 and received acclaim for its vivid depiction of industrial life and social issues. She went on to write several other notable works, such as North and South, Cranford, and Ruth, which also reflect her interest in the challenges faced by different societal groups. Gaskell's writing often examined class, gender, and moral questions, making her an influential figure in 19th-century English literature. She married William Gaskell in 1832, and together they had five children: Margaret Emily, Julia Bradford, Marianne, Florence Elizabeth, and William. Gaskell passed away on November 12, 1865, at the age of 55. Her works have inspired numerous adaptations, including films like The Followers and Cousin Phillis. She was the daughter of William Stevenson and Elizabeth Holland....